 |
Chemical Sciences Scotland Conference 2009
Innovation Topic Group
This industry has a longstanding reputation for innovation but continued long term commitment and investment in innovation will be required to ensure Scotland's future competitiveness in the global marketplace. The conference breakout sessions provided an invaluable platform for debate on this topic, adding to discussion already held at an Innovation Workshop earlier in the year. The breakout group concluded that all activities initiated by the Innovation Group so far were welcome and should continue. In addition, it provided the guidance below, which will inform the Innovation Group's future priorities and actions as it refreshes its strategic plan.
- The Innovation group must ensure that its vision and values will be effective in helping to position efforts globally. In order to do so it is essential that the group has a clearly defined strategy that is communicated effectively across and beyond the industry.
- The sector must exploit the power of collaboration by building on the current initiatives in place to enhance cooperative working and brokerage, between both businesses and the industry and academia. Steps towards achieving this include:
- Promoting and developing more schemes like the industrial studentships
- Establishing “Centres of Excellence”
- Considering a mechanism to support business to business innovation and collaboration between SMEs, academics and large companies
- We must build and improve our networks both within the industry and externally. The sector must strengthen its links across other priority industries in Scotland to improve awareness of the chemical sciences and its scale, impact and contribution to the economy. Mechanisms should be established to build virtual networking communities, overcoming physical and geographical barriers to building relationships, collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Sandy Dobbie, Innovation Group Chair
To view the complete feedback notes from the session please click here.
|
|
